U.S. patent application number 11/590519 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-22 for positioning system for portable solar panels.
Invention is credited to Cindy S. Head, Ray Head.
Application Number | 20070039610 11/590519 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34798049 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070039610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Head; Ray ; et al. |
February 22, 2007 |
Positioning system for portable solar panels
Abstract
A solar panel(s) positioning apparatus for controlling the
orientation of a solar panel(s) having one edge pivotally mounted
to a support surface including a lift bar attached to an opposite
edge of the panel(s) and having a mast, a base supported on the
support surface, a swing link connected between the base and the
mast and an extensible link pivotally connected between an
intermediate point on the base end of the mast. A modification of
the structure includes positioning apparatus for alternate
bidirectional tilting of one or more panels about axes along
aligned opposite side edges thereof.
Inventors: |
Head; Ray; (Poulsbo, WA)
; Head; Cindy S.; (Poulsbo, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOWREY RICKARDS
19119 NORTHCREEK PARKWAY
SUITE 106
BOTHELL
WA
98011
US
|
Family ID: |
34798049 |
Appl. No.: |
11/590519 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11026205 |
Dec 30, 2004 |
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11590519 |
Oct 31, 2006 |
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60538834 |
Jan 23, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
126/605 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 2030/16 20180501;
H02S 20/30 20141201; Y02E 10/50 20130101; F24S 2030/115 20180501;
F24S 30/425 20180501; Y02E 10/47 20130101; Y02B 10/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/605 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/38 20060101
F24J002/38 |
Claims
1. Positioning apparatus for a support surface mounted solar energy
system including a lift structure attached to at least one pivotal
axis mounted solar panel and comprising; an upstanding mast
attached to said solar panel, said mast being spaced from the solar
panel pivotal axis and extending away from the support surface, a
base structure mounted on the support surface and extending
transversely to the solar panel pivotal axis, at least one swing
link connected at one end thereof to said mast and the opposite end
mounted in pivotal relation to the base structure, and an
extensible link pivotally connected between the mast and an
intermediate point on the base structure between the mast and the
solar panel pivotal axis.
2. Positioning apparatus for a support surface mounted solar energy
system, comprising; a lift bar attached to one edge of at least one
solar panel, said solar panel having an opposite edge pivoted to
the support surface, an upstanding mast connected to the lift bar
and extending away from the support surface, a base structure
mounted on the support surface and extending transversely to said
opposite edge of the solar panel, at least one swing link having
one end connected to the mast and the opposite end pivotally
connected to the base structure, said swing link and opposite edge
of the solar panel being pivoted about a common pivotal axis, and
an extensible link pivotally connected between the mast and an
intermediate point on the base structure between the mast and the
opposite edge of the solar panel for moving said at least one solar
panel toward and away from the support surface about the pivotal
axis thereof.
3. Positioning apparatus for a solar energy system mounted on a
mobile support surface in generally parallel relation thereto,
comprising; a lift bar attached to a first lateral edge of at least
one generally planar solar panel, said at least one solar panel
having a second opposite parallel lateral edge mounted on a first
pivotal axis for orientation of said panel at an angle to the
support surface, an upstanding mast connected to the lift bar and
extending away from the support surface, a base structure mounted
on the support surface adjacent said at least one solar panel, at
least one swing link having a pivotal connection at one end to the
base structure for movement about a second pivotal axis in
alignment with said first pivotal axis, the opposite end thereof
being pivotally connected to the mast, and an extensible link
pivotally connected at one end to the mast and at the opposite end
to the base structure at a point between said swing link pivotal
connection and the mast, whereby, upon extension of the extensible
link, the lift bar is moved away from the support surface and said
at least one solar panel is moved about said first pivotal axis to
a position at an angle to the support surface.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 including: pivot bracket means fixed to
the support surface, the opposite lateral edge of said at least one
solar panel being connected to said bracket means defining said
first pivotal axis.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the base structure is fixed to
the support surface and includes a terminal end portion with means
comprising said second pivotal axis, the base structure extending
along an edge of said at least one solar panel at right angles to
said first and second lateral edges.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a plurality of said solar
panels; said solar panels being spaced along the length of the lift
bar, and said apparatus further including a plurality of said swing
links with each swing link being connected to the mast and pivoted
about an axis in alignment with said first and second axes.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the mast has a terminal end
portion spaced from the lift bar, each said swing links being
connected to the mast adjacent said terminal end, and said
extensible link being pivotally connected to the mast at a point
between the swing link connection point and the lift bar.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said mast has a terminal end
portion spaced from said lift bar, said extensible link being
pivotally connected to the mast adjacent said terminal end, and
each said swing link being connected to the mast at a point between
the extensible link connection and the lift bar.
9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the support surface comprises
the roof section of a mobile vehicle; said extensible link
comprising a motor powered unit, and remote control means for
selectively actuating said motor powered unit to control the
orientation of said at least one solar panel relative to the roof
section.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the support surface comprises
the roof section of a mobile vehicle, said extensible link
comprising a motor powered unit, and remote control means for
selectively actuating said motor powered unit to control the
orientation of said solar panels relative to the roof section.
11. Solar panel positioning apparatus for controlling the tilt
angle of a support surface mounted solar panel, said panel having
opposed lateral side edges, comprising in combination; mounting
means on said support surface for mounting said panel for selective
alternate clockwise and counter clockwise rotation about pivotal
axes parallel to said lateral edges respectively, first and second
extensible lift assemblies connected between said support surface
and the lateral edges of said panel respectively for rotating said
panel alternately about said axes, and means for selectively
alternately actuating said lift assemblies to control the tilt
angle of said panel relative to said support surface.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said mounting means includes;
at least one transverse support rail for supporting said panel,
bracket means fixed to said support surface for pivotally
connecting one end of said support rail thereto for rotation of the
panel in one direction about one said pivotal axes associated with
one lateral edge of said panel, the opposite end of said support
rail being pivotally connected to the other lateral edge of the
panel for rotation of the panel in the opposite direction about the
other said pivotal axes.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said support surface
comprises a transport vehicle having a generally horizontal roof
section.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said vehicle comprises a
motor home.
15. Solar panel positioning apparatus for controlling the tilt
angle of a generally rectangular support surface mounted solar
panel having opposed lateral side edges, comprising; mounting
structure mounting said panel on said support surface for alternate
pivotal movement clockwise and counter clockwise about first and
second pivotal axes parallel and adjacent to said respective
lateral side edges, first and second upstanding mast structures
connected to the respective panel lateral side edges associated
with said first and second pivotal axes respectively, said mast
structure extending away from said support surface, first and
second base structures fixed to said support surface adjacent said
first and second mast structures respectively, said base structures
extending transversely of said panel, and first and second
extensible lift assemblies connected between said first and second
base structures respectively and the first and second mast
structures respectively, whereby actuation of said first lift
assembly rotates said panel about said second pivotal axis in a
first direction of rotation and alternate actuation of said second
lift assembly rotates the panel about said first pivotal axis in a
second direction of rotation.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said mounting structure
comprises; at least one transverse support rail for supporting said
panel bracket means fixed to said support surface for pivotally
connecting one end of said support rail thereto for rotation of the
panel in one direction about one said pivotal axes associated with
one lateral edge of said panel, the opposite end of said support
rail being pivotally connected to the other lateral edge of the
panel for rotation of the panel in the opposite direction about the
other said pivotal axes.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 including; swing link means extending
between and pivotally connected to the base structure and mast
structure associated with each said extensible lift assemblies,
said lift assemblies being connected to the associated base
structure at an intermediate point on the base structure between
the associated mast and the associated swing link pivotal
connection.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein; said swing link means
comprises a link member disposed on each side of the associated
extensible link assembly, said link members being pivoted to the
associated mast structure on a common axis with the associated
extensible link assembly.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said lift assemblies are
connected to the associated base structures by means of a pivot pin
and slot connection permitting a predetermined displacement of the
pivot pin during raising and lowering the panel.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein each said mast structure
comprises; a two part articulated hinged member having one part
thereof fixed relative to one associated edge of said panel, the
other part thereof being pivotally connected to the associated
extensible lift assembly and swing link means, whereby articulation
of said mast members accommodates alternate rotation of the panel
about said pivotal axes in the clockwise and counter clockwise
directions from a horizontal position to preselected tilt
positions.
21. The apparatus of claim 18 including; a second spaced coplanar
solar panel having opposed lateral edges, mounting structure for
mounting said second solar panel on said support surface for
alternate pivotal movement clockwise and counter clockwise about
said first and second pivotal axes, lift bar means connecting the
associated opposed lateral edge of said coplanar panels, said first
and second mast structures being connected to the respective lift
bar means, whereby said coplanar panels are tilted in unison by
said lift assemblies.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of my
copending application, filed Dec. 30, 2004, Ser. No. 11/026,205,
claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/538,834 filed Jan. 23, 2004.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to apparatus for
controlling the positioning of solar panels which may be arranged
independently or in groups or arrays. More particularly, the
present invention relates to positioning apparatus for controlling
the orientation of a solar panel(s) of the type normally mounted on
motor homes, trailers and the like with the positioning system
being controllable from a remote location, either inside or outside
of the vehicle.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] It has become customary to mount a solar panel or an array
of such panels on the rooftop of vehicles such as motor homes,
trailers and the like. In the prior art, orientation of the solar
panel, for the purpose of collecting solar rays, normally requires
some type of manual manipulation, usually from a ladder or by
actually climbing onto the vehicle roof. Such positioning systems
are usually very rudimentary and often involve manually adjustable
braces or the like connected between the solar panel and the
vehicle roof. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,501 to Glidden et al. Alternatively hand crank
operated panel lifting apparatus has been utilized to position
motor vehicle roof-mounted solar panels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,753 to
Noennich illustrates a device of this type. In the latter instance,
crank elements are mounted so as to extend through the roof of the
vehicle, allowing a person within the vehicle to operate a hand
crank so as to position the solar panel. This arrangement, of
course, requires openings to be made in the vehicle roof as an
after market installation which may result in leakage problems or
other structural damage to the motor vehicle or trailer. A need
thus arises for a remotely controllable power unit and mounting
operable either from within or without the vehicle to position
solar panels. The positioning apparatus must be compact and
otherwise adaptable to the motor home or other vehicle roof
structure and must be acceptable in appearance and compatibility
with the vehicle structure.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0006] A single solar panel, or more commonly an array of two or
more solar panels, may be mounted on the vehicle roof usually
carried in a more or less flat generally horizontal non-use
position on the roof surface. In order for the generally flat
panels to be moved from the horizontal position and oriented to the
in-use position at a given angle in a given direction to the roof
surface, they may be pivoted or hinged along one lateral edge
relative to the vehicle roof surface. An elongated base structure
is anchored to the vehicle roof surface adjacent to the lateral
edge of the panel(s) which extends at right angles to the hinged
edge. A mast structure is connected to a lift bar which is fixed to
the lateral edge(s) of the panel(s) opposite the hinged edge(s) to
form a lift structure to raise the panel(s) by pivoting about the
hinged edge. One end of the base structure is connected to the mast
by means of a swing arm or swing arms which extend between the mast
structure and a pivot point adjacent to the end of the base
structure which is in alignment with the pivotal axis of the panel
edge. The swing arm or arms may be connected adjacent the top end
of the mast or intermediate the top and bottom ends thereof. A
motor driven extensible link or arm is pivoted at one end to the
base structure intermediate the ends of the base. The opposite end
of the extensible link is pivotally connected to the mast either
above or below the pivotal connection of the swing arms. In an
alternate embodiment, a single solar panel or a plurality of
in-line panels are mounted for selective tilting about an axis
parallel to one or the opposite lateral edges for orienting the
panels either clockwise or counterclockwise in opposite directions
of tilt. In this manner the panels may be tilted so as to optimize
the collection of solar rays, depending on the direction in which
the vehicle is parked. In this embodiment, the panel or panels are
typically connected along one lateral edge to a cross bar structure
which is itself pivotally connected to a pivotal bracket located
along the opposite lateral edge of the panel. Separate extensible
links or arms are pivotally connected to the opposite lateral edges
of the panels by means of articulated mast structures with the
extensible links being pivoted at their opposite ends to a base
structure fixedly mounted on the vehicle roof. Swing arms or links
are also connected between the mast and base structures to cause
raising of the panels when the extensible links are actuated. In
the present illustrated embodiments, the extensible links are
disclosed by way of example as motor driven screw jacks. It will be
understood that the type of extensible links, the structural
details and the mode of operation may be chosen from any number of
equivalent extensible link devices. With this arrangement, the
extensible link power units may be extended to raise the swing
links and cause the panel(s) to pivot about their axis to orient
the panel(s) for catching solar rays. In the non-use position of
the panel(s), only the mast structures remain upstanding and may be
kept to an acceptable design height above the vehicle roof
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the panel positioning
apparatus mounted on the roof of a motor vehicle;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the panel
positioning mechanism;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the panel positioning
system in the lowered non-use position;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the panel and
positioning system in the raised or tilt in-use position;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical
limit switch unit carried on the extensible link;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an exploded partial perspective view of the
pivotal mounting for the solar panel;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an alternative
configuration of the panel positioning linkage apparatus of the
FIGS. 1-5 embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a protective cover for the
panel positioning linkage apparatus;
[0015] FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the second embodiment
of the dual direction positioning system with the solar panel(s) in
the lowered non-use position;
[0016] FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the panel positioning
system of FIG. 9 in the right hand or clockwise rotational tilt
position of the solar panels;
[0017] FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the panel positioning
system of FIG. 9 in the left hand or counterclockwise tilt position
of the solar panels;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the top side of
the solar panels and position of the extensible links in the
rotational tilt position shown in FIG. 11; and
[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the bottom side
of the solar panels and position of the extensible links in the
rotational tilt position shown in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the solar panel and positioning system
1 is illustrated as being mounted on the roof 2 of a motor vehicle
such as a motor home, trailer or the like. The positioning system
includes extensible link lift structure 3, lift bar and mast 4, and
solar panels 6 and 7. It will be understood that the solar panels 6
and 7 are conventional staples of commerce designed for converting
solar energy into electrical energy. In FIG. 1, the particular
solar panels illustrated are generally flat and rectangular in
configuration. The panels comprise solar cells located in a central
area surrounded by rectangular support frames 8 and 9 respectively,
giving the panel dimensional stability. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
the solar panels are mounted for rotation about respective lateral
edges 11 and 12 by means of pivot brackets 13-14 and 16-17
respectively. The solar panels are mounted for rotation about a
common axis along aligned lateral edges 11 and 12 respectively by
means such as bolts or studs 18. Their relationship is shown in
detail in FIG. 6. The solar panels 6 and 7 are illustrated in their
non-use position in FIG. 1 and will be raised to the in-use
position in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1 as they are
rotated about the axes provided by the pivot bolts 18.
[0021] In the present illustrated embodiments, the panels 6 and 7
may be joined together by the elongated angle lift bar 19 which may
be constructed from lightweight material such as aluminum. The lift
bar 19 is securely fastened to the lateral edges of the panels 6
and 7 opposite the pivoted lateral edges 11 and 12 as shown in FIG.
1. While two such solar panels 6 and 7 are illustrated in the
present embodiment, it will be understood that the present panel
positioning apparatus may also be applied to a single panel or an
array of panels in excess of the two shown. The lift bar 19 is
provided with an upstanding U-shaped mast 21 located in the central
portion of the lift bar between the solar panels 6 and 7. The mast
21 may be bolted or otherwise securely and rigidly mounted to the
lift bar 19 as shown in detail in FIG. 2.
[0022] Power lift structure and linkage 3 comprises a U-shaped
channel base 22 which may be constructed from aluminum channel
stock or the like and is securely attached to the surface of roof 2
of the vehicle by bolting or the like as shown in detail in FIG. 2.
The channel 22 as seen in FIG. 1 is located between the two solar
panels 6-7 and parallel to the end edges thereof with one end
extending to the pivoted edges 11 and 12 of the solar panels in the
illustrated embodiment. The base is connected to the mast 21 by
means of one or more swing arms or links 23-24. The links 23 and 24
are pivotally connected to the sides of the U-shaped channel 22 as
at 26 and 27 respectively as shown in detail in FIG. 2. The
opposite ends of the links 23 and 24 are pivoted to the mast 21 as
at the points 28 and 29 respectively. It is to be noted that the
pivotal axis provided by the pivot points 26 and 27 are aligned and
coincident with the pivotal axis of the solar panels provided by
the bolts 18. In this manner, the relationship between the solar
panels and the swing arms 23 and 24 remains constant as illustrated
in FIGS. 3 and 4 as the solar panels are raised from the horizontal
to an in-use position.
[0023] The lifting action of the power lift structure 3 in the
present embodiment is provided by an extensible link in the nature
of a screw jack assembly 31 shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 5. The
screw jack may be a commercially available unit such as that
manufactured by the Duff Norton Company of Charlotte, N.C. The
screw jack structure is well known in the art and usually includes
an elongated housing 32, an electric motor 33, a gearing unit 34
connecting the motor drive to the screw element and an electrical
switching unit 36 for controlling the operation of the extensible
link. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the housing 32 will be provided with
a stationary projecting connector element 37 fixed to the housing
for the purpose of pivotally connecting the housing to a base. An
extensible screw member within the housing (not shown) is connected
to an extensible nonrotatable ram 38. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the
ram 38 in the withdrawn position and FIG. 4 illustrates the ram 38
in the extended position which provides the extensible link for the
lift structure. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the stationary connector
37 of the screw jack is pivoted to the base structure 22 by means
of a pivot bolt or the like 39 which extends through a bore in the
connector 37 allowing the entire screw jack assembly to be pivoted
relative to the base 22 during lifting. The distal end of the ram
38 is connected to the mast 21 by means of the pivot bolt 41 which
passes through a suitable bore in the end of the ram 38 and is held
in the centered position by the spacers 42. Similar spacers (not
shown) may also be used on the pivot bolt 39 to center the
connector 37 between the sides of base 22. In this manner the screw
jack extensible link may be operated to move the solar panels 6 and
7 from the horizontal non-use position of FIG. 3 to the in-use
position shown in FIG. 4 as the screw jack extends, the solar
panels and the swing arms 23 and 24 rotate about the pivotal axis
provided by the pivot bolts 18 and the pivots 26 and 27. It is
contemplated that the switching unit 36 may be controlled from a
remote location either inside or outside of the vehicle through
suitable electrical leads and a power source. The retracted and
extended positions of the ram 38 may be suitably controlled by
limit switches (not shown) located within the screw jack assembly
and actuated by position detectors or the like such as that shown
at 43 in FIG. 5 mounted at selected locations along the length of
the housing 32. The detector 43 may be mounted on a guide plate or
the like 44 received in a suitable slotting arrangement on the
surface of the housing 32 as shown in FIG. 5. The position limiting
switches are normally a part of the commercially available screw
jack unit. It will be understood that other means of limiting the
extended and retracted positions of the screw jack assembly may
also be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0024] Since the power lift structure and linkage is located at an
exposed outside location on the vehicle roof surface, it may be
desirable to provide a suitable cover or hood to protect the
apparatus from the elements. Such a cover 46 is illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 8. The hood may be constructed from metal or molded
plastic material and will be designed to cover the mast structure,
the base member 22, the power lift and linkage 3, as well as the
various pivotal connections. The cover will be provided with
waterproof side and top walls and may be fitted over the lift
structure and held in place by such means as a pressure or snap
fit, clips, bolts or the like. In any event, the protective cover
preferably contacts the roof surface with suitable slots 47 and 48
being formed in the opposite forward side walls to accommodate the
upstanding flange of the lift bar 19 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0025] While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 utilizes a
configuration wherein the pivotal connection between the ram 38 of
the screw jack and the mast 21 is located above the pivotal
connections 28 and 29, in some instances it may be preferable to
modify this arrangement. FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of the
pivotal arrangement wherein the ram 38 is connected to the mast 21
at a pivot point 49, roughly comparable to the position of the
pivot points 28 and 29 of the FIGS. 1-4 embodiment. Links 23 and 24
of this embodiment are connected above the pivot point 49, the
pivot point for link 24 being shown at 51 in FIG. 7. The position
of pivot point 51 roughly corresponds to the position of pivot
point 41 of the ram 38 in the FIGS. 1-4 embodiment. Utilization of
the FIG. 7 embodiment wherein the positions of the pivotal
connections of the ram 38 and the links 23 and 24 are reversed, may
be an advantage in those instances where it is desired to decrease
the leverage of the mast 21 against the lift bar 19 to thereby
decrease the pressure tending to twist the lift bar. These
considerations may be of concern depending on the length of the
mast 21.
[0026] FIGS. 9-13 illustrate a second embodiment of the panel
positioning system constructed for selectively tilting the solar
panel or panels either clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis
parallel to one or the other of the parallel side edges of the
panels. It will be understood that the solar panels may be
identical to those described relative to the FIGS. 1-8 embodiment
and are conventional staples of commerce designed for converting
solar energy into electrical energy. As described, these panels are
generally flat and rectangular in configuration and will include a
rectangular support frame giving the panels dimensional stability.
Although the present embodiment illustrates two such panels 52 and
53, it will be understood that any number of individual solar
panels may be utilized or, in the alternative, a single panel may
be adapted for use with the positioning mechanism to be described.
Although reference will be made to solar panel 52 for the present
description, it will be understood that the panel 53 may be
identically equipped. In this respect, the panel 52 includes the
parallel side frame members 54 and 56 and opposite end frame
members 57 and 58. In practice, the solar panel frames may be
constructed from light weight aluminum angle iron rigidly connected
so as to provide a sturdy dimensionally stable framework.
[0027] In order to provide the dual pivoting function, each end of
each panel in the present illustrated embodiment is provided with a
transversely directed support rail such as the rails 59 and 61
which contact and support the end frame members 57 and 58
respectively of the solar panel 52. In the description of the panel
positioning and support structure, it will be understood that the
structure described relative to the panel 52 also applies to the
panel 53 as evident from the drawings in FIGS. 12 and 13. Support
rails 60 and 62 for panel 53 are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 of the
drawings. The support rails 59 and 61 are pivotally attached at one
end to stationary mounting brackets 63 and 64 respectively by means
such as the pivot bolts 66 and 67 respectively. Likewise, the
transverse support rail 60 for panel 53 will be pivotally attached
to stationary mounting brackets such as the bracket 68 by means of
the pivot bolt or axle 69. The support rail 62 at the opposite end
of the panel 53 will also be provided with a stationary mounting
bracket 65 providing a pivot point for the support rail. As seen in
the drawings, the stationary mounting brackets 63 and 64, as well
as the mounting brackets 65 and 68 for the second solar panel 53,
will be bolted or otherwise firmly attached to a mounting surface
such as the top panel or roof of the motor home or the like 2 as
illustrated in FIGS. 9-11. Each of the stationary mounting brackets
may be provided with an upstanding guide, either integral with or
separately attached thereto, such as the upstanding guide bar 71
fixed to the mounting bracket 64 and the upstanding guide 72
attached to the mounting bracket 68 as shown in FIG. 12. The guide
bars or posts 71 and 72 will function to maintain the associated
solar panel frame member in alignment with its underlying support
rail and will provide stability for the panel frame in position on
top of the associated support rail.
[0028] As seen most clearly in FIGS. 9-11, the transverse support
rails 59-62 on each end of each solar panel are provided with
pivotal mounting brackets fixed to the ends of the support rails
opposite the stationary mounting brackets 63 and 64 on the panel 52
as well as the brackets 65 and 68 on the support rails on the
second panel 53. The mounting brackets on the two panels may be
identical in detail hence, for descriptive purposes, only the
mounting bracket for panel 52 will be described. As illustrated in
FIGS. 9-11 the mounting bracket 73 on the outboard end of the
support rail 61 includes an angled base plate 74 and an upstanding
pivot arm 76 both of which are fixedly mounted on the outside
surface of the support rail 61. The configuration of this structure
may be varied, however, and it may be constructed from a unitary
piece. The bracket 73 provides a pivotal axis for one end of the
frame of the panel 52 when moving the solar panel(s) to the
operative position as shown in FIG. 11 and includes a support plate
or flange 75 to support the end of the rail 61 at the same
elevation as the opposite end at the mounting bracket 64. When the
panel is moved in the opposite direction of tilt about the axis of
bolts 67, 66, 69, the mounting bracket 73 will, of course, be
raised along with the outboard end of support rails 59 and 60 which
are provided with similar mounting bracket assemblies 78 and 79
respectively as shown in FIG. 13. The assemblies 78 and 79 may be
identical in detail and mirror images to provide the pivot and
support functions for the adjacent ends of the panels 52 and 53 as
described with respect to the bracket assembly 73. It is to be
noted that the pivotal axis provided by the pivot bolts 66-67 for
the panel 52, as well as the pivot bolts for the panel 53, are all
in alignment, providing a single pivot axis for the panels 52 and
53 for rotational tilting of the panels to the operative position
shown in FIG. 10. Likewise, the pivot bolts on the opposite sides
of the solar panel frame members are all aligned to permit the
pivoting of the panels in unison in the counterclockwise direction
to the operative position shown in FIG. 11.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, adjacent solar panels 52 and
53, along with their associated frames, are connected in-line by
lift bars 81 and 82 which may be angle stock constructed from
aluminum or any other suitable material. The lift bars 81 and 82
will be rigidly connected to the solar panel frames as illustrated
in order for the panels to be moved and tilted in unison. In order
to provide for bi-directional tilting of the solar panels,
independent power lift assemblies and linkages 83 and 84 may be
located in appropriate spacing between the panels 52 and 53 as
illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The lift assemblies 83 and 84
include U-shaped base channels 86 and 87 respectively, rigidly
connected to the support surface 2; laterally spaced pairs of swing
links 88 and 89 connected between one end of the associated base
channel and an articulated mast structure which is in turn
connected to an associated lift bar, presently to be described; and
screw jacks 91 and 92 pivotally connected between associated mast
assemblies and U-shaped channel bases as illustrated.
[0030] The lift bars 81 and 82 are provided with upstanding
articulated mast structures 93 and 94 respectively for connection
to the power lift structures 84 and 83 respectively so as to
accomplish tilting of the solar panels, either clockwise or
counterclockwise, about axes parallel to the opposite lateral edges
thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Referring to the
drawings, each articulated mast comprises essentially two hinged
plates, one being rigidly attached to an associated lift bar and
the other being pivotally connected to an associated screw jack and
swing link arrangement. These plates are hinged so as to
accommodate horizontal positioning of the solar panel frames when
both power links 91 and 92 are completely withdrawn, as shown in
FIG. 9, and to move to a closed position to permit tilting of the
solar panels about a lateral edge in either direction as
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. With this arrangement, only one of
the power links 91 or 92 needs to be actuated at any given time,
depending upon the desired direction of rotational tilt of the
panels. The other power link may remain rigid with the associated
articulated mast accommodating the increase in distance between the
fixed plate of the mast and the associated power link. In the
present embodiment, the hinged plates of the articulated mast are
constructed in the form of U-shaped channels, the edges of the
flanges being inclined adjacent the hinged end so as to permit the
required closure of the articulated mast. This relationship is
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. It will be understood that the detailed
configuration of the mast structures and their connection to the
power links may be altered along with the structural details of the
power links without departing from the scope of the invention. For
instance, the hinged plates could be flat plate members and/or
provision could be made for extending the reach of the associated
power link to accommodate the geometry so as to permit tilting of
the solar panels in either direction. In the present embodiment, it
will be noted that the power links 91 and 92 are provided with
pivotal connections, as at bolts 96 and 97 respectively, to the
upstanding flanges of the associated base channels. These pivotal
connections may be provided with a slotted opening, such as the
slot 98 in the flanges of the channel base 87 as shown in FIGS.
9-11, to permit a certain amount of movement of the pivot 97 if
necessary as the solar panels are moved through their clockwise or
counterclockwise tilting motion. The amount of movement, if any is
required, will vary depending on the dimensions of the links and
placement of pivot points. It will be understood, of course, that
slots such as the slot 98 may be used to mount all of the pivot
bolts which connect the power links to the associated channel
bases.
[0031] The operation and control of the individual screw jack units
91 and 92 may be the same as that described for the screw jack unit
31 with a suitable control system therefor such as described
relative to the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment. Likewise, a cover or hood
such as the cover 46, described relative to FIG. 8, may be suitably
mounted on the lift bars 81 and 82 so as to protect the lift
assemblies from the elements. It will also be understood that a
single solar panel may be mounted for bidirectional tilt, either
with both lift assemblies located at one end of the solar panel as
illustrated or with a lift assembly locate at the opposite ends of
the panel without departing from the intended scope of the
invention.
[0032] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that
alternative structural or mechanical details may be employed in
order to accomplish the objects of the invention. As an example,
different types of extensible link assemblies may be utilized such
as pneumatic or hydraulic rams with various arrangements of limit
switches and the like for limiting the movement of the solar
panels. Various configurations of protective covers may be utilized
and various materials of construction employed for the various
linkages and pivotal connections. Still other modifications of
remote control and electrical power sources for the extensible link
may be utilized to raise and lower the solar panels from remote
locations.
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